Orleans Cardinals

Nicholson Picks Up 100th Win of CCBL Career

July 20, 2008

Chatham, Mass. – Manager Kelly Nicholson has been at the helm of the Orleans Cardinals since the 2005 season and tonight he reached a remarkable accomplishment despite less than four full years as the Cardinals skipper. His team’s 5-4 victory over Chatham tonight was career win No. 100 for the Corona, Calif. native and extended the Cardinals winning streak to seven games.

One of the trends during this streak for Orleans has been jumping out to an early lead. The Cardinals did just that by scoring two runs in the third inning. With two outs, OF Tim Wheeler (Sacramento St.) laid down a bunt that he beat out for a base hit. 2B Matt Bowman (Nevada) doubled him in and a RBI single off the bat of OF Alex Hassan (Duke) scored Bowman.

The Cardinals extended their lead in the fourth with a base hit from C Hampton Tignor (Florida). The single scored his Gator teammate SS Cole Figueroa (Florida).

Just when it appeared that Orleans would cruise to their seventh consecutive victory, the Chatham Athletics started to swing the bat. After RHP Martin Viramontes (Loyola Marymount) hit SS Kyle Seager (N. Carolina) with a pitch, he left a ball up in the zone to 2B Victor Sanchez (San Diego). Sanchez smacked the ball over the right-field fence and made it a one-run ballgame.

The A’s got to Viramontes again in the fourth after back-to-back singles by 3B Kyle Bellows (San Jose St.) and C Joe Mercurio (Maine). DH David Hale (Princeton) hit into a fielder’s choice that scored Bellows and tied the game.

With both teams into their bullpen and a right-handed pitcher now on the mound for Chatham, Nicholson decided to call OF Angelo Songco (Loyola Marymount)’s number. Songco delivered a solo bomb, perhaps the longest homer hit by a Cardinal this season, in just his first at bat of the evening. It broke a 3-3 tie and gave the Cardinals another lead.

Orleans added an insurance run in the eighth with a RBI single from Figueroa. The Cardinals turned it over to All-Star LHP Adam Wilk (Long Beach St.) for the bottom half of the frame.

Wilk was hit around a little bit but kept the lead in tact. He allowed three batters to reach base, including Seager who singled in a run.

Hassan took the mound for the ninth inning and his fourth save opportunity of the year. He converted it easily, striking out the side. All four of his saves this season have been in one-run games.

Chatham manager John Schiffner was ejected from the contest in the middle of the ninth inning for arguing with the home plate umpire.

The win belonged to LHP Justin Earls (Georgia) who tossed 2.2 innings of one-hit ball in relief. His ERA is now a near-spotless 0.75 on the season.

The seven-game winning streak by the Cardinals is their longest of the year. They also had a six-game streak earlier in the month. Other streaking Cardinals include Figueroa who has now hit safely in eight straight games. 1B Nate Freiman (Duke) has a seven-game hitting streak and Wheeler, after posting a 10-game streak earlier this summer, now has a six-gamer.

Orleans will host Yarmouth-Dennis tomorrow for the final meeting between the two teams. The Cardinals have already won the season series and lead it four games to one. On the hill for the Cards will be LHP Rob Rasmussen (UCLA). The first pitch will take place at 7:00pm EDT from Eldredge Park.

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Home Cards News Game Day Central Roster Statistics Coaching Staff Sounds of the Game Clinics Volunteer Alumni Contact	Nicholson Picks Up 100th Win of CCBL Career July 20, 2008 Chatham, Mass. – Manager Kelly Nicholson has been at the helm of the Orleans Cardinals since the 2005 season and tonight he reached a remarkable accomplishment despite less than four full years as the Cardinals skipper. His team’s 5-4 victory over Chatham tonight was career win No. 100 for the Corona, Calif. native and extended the Cardinals winning streak to seven games. One of the trends during this streak for Orleans has been jumping out to an early lead. The Cardinals did just that by scoring two runs in the third inning. With two outs, OF Tim Wheeler (Sacramento St.) laid down a bunt that he beat out for a base hit. 2B Matt Bowman (Nevada) doubled him in and a RBI single off the bat of OF Alex Hassan (Duke) scored Bowman. The Cardinals extended their lead in the fourth with a base hit from C Hampton Tignor (Florida). The single scored his Gator teammate SS Cole Figueroa (Florida). Just when it appeared that Orleans would cruise to their seventh consecutive victory, the Chatham Athletics started to swing the bat. After RHP Martin Viramontes (Loyola Marymount) hit SS Kyle Seager (N. Carolina) with a pitch, he left a ball up in the zone to 2B Victor Sanchez (San Diego). Sanchez smacked the ball over the right-field fence and made it a one-run ballgame. The A’s got to Viramontes again in the fourth after back-to-back singles by 3B Kyle Bellows (San Jose St.) and C Joe Mercurio (Maine). DH David Hale (Princeton) hit into a fielder’s choice that scored Bellows and tied the game. With both teams into their bullpen and a right-handed pitcher now on the mound for Chatham, Nicholson decided to call OF Angelo Songco (Loyola Marymount)’s number. Songco delivered a solo bomb, perhaps the longest homer hit by a Cardinal this season, in just his first at bat of the evening. It broke a 3-3 tie and gave the Cardinals another lead. Orleans added an insurance run in the eighth with a RBI single from Figueroa. The Cardinals turned it over to All-Star LHP Adam Wilk (Long Beach St.) for the bottom half of the frame. Wilk was hit around a little bit but kept the lead in tact. He allowed three batters to reach base, including Seager who singled in a run. Hassan took the mound for the ninth inning and his fourth save opportunity of the year. He converted it easily, striking out the side. All four of his saves this season have been in one-run games. Chatham manager John Schiffner was ejected from the contest in the middle of the ninth inning for arguing with the home plate umpire. The win belonged to LHP Justin Earls (Georgia) who tossed 2.2 innings of one-hit ball in relief. His ERA is now a near-spotless 0.75 on the season. The seven-game winning streak by the Cardinals is their longest of the year. They also had a six-game streak earlier in the month. Other streaking Cardinals include Figueroa who has now hit safely in eight straight games. 1B Nate Freiman (Duke) has a seven-game hitting streak and Wheeler, after posting a 10-game streak earlier this summer, now has a six-gamer. Orleans will host Yarmouth-Dennis tomorrow for the final meeting between the two teams. The Cardinals have already won the season series and lead it four games to one. On the hill for the Cards will be LHP Rob Rasmussen (UCLA). The first pitch will take place at 7:00pm EDT from Eldredge Park. (Unofficial Box Score)